Gifted Grappler

Bram Frank’s CSSD/SC Katana Is More
Than Just A Wicked Face

By Pat Covert

Bram Frank is the owner and founder of Common Sense Self Defense/Street Combat, Inc. (CSSD/SC) and offers his knives through Bram Frank Design LLC. Bram doesn’t have a Hollywood name, but to those familiar with his martial arts training he is a superstar. Bram’s knives aren’t made simply for cutting or stabbing—but for a multitude of other combat functions including hitting, trapping, hammering and joint locking. These functions are all part of his CSSD/SC training which stresses non-lethal methods of submission alongside those of the violent kind.

Frank teaches an individualistic approach to Arnis, a Filipino martial arts style blending bare-hand combat with weaponry. All of his knives, both fixed-blade and folder, enhance their potential with features such as pivot divots and hitting points. The Katana model is 8.0 inches fully extended with 5.0 inches in the handle. The G10 scales (over jimped stainless steel liners) have two pivot points on the front and two on the back, one covered up by an extra pivot in the form of a spoon-shaped pocket clip. The pocket clip is reversible to the front and you get the same number of pivots. Grab the Katana closed and you get hitting points using the base, triangulate blade opening ramp and top handle. The 3-inch double ground 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade makes for wicked business when called upon. The blade locks up via a liner-lock on the back. Bram also offers a trainer model.

You would be hard pressed to find a combat folder with more deep thinking features on this gifted grappler—and you don’t have to be a pro to use many of them. The cost of such devious combatry is a very reasonable $120 for the Katana, or $200 for it and the Trainer. Not bad for a knife with so many talents!